526.Temperet, that is, keep from burning.
527.Curio. Romulus, we are told, divided the people into 30curiae, over each of which was acurio. The Curio Maximus presided over the 30 Curiones.—Leg. verb. ex gr.Lavatio Deum Matris est hodie. Jovis epulum eras est. Aesculapii geritur celebraturque vindemia. Lectisternium Cereris erit Idibus proximis. Arnobius, L. vii.
529.Multa tabella. On which was inscribed in what Curia each part of the people was to worship.
533. The Feralia, in honour of the dead, were celebrated on the 19th of February, as this was formerly the last month of the year. Festus derives Feralia,à ferendis epulis vel a feriendis pecudibus.—Varro,ab inferis et ferendo epulas. The derivation frominferisis nearest the truth.
537.Porrectis. One MS. which is followed by Heinsius, and the other editors, readsprojectis.
542.Sua verba, suitable words.
545. See Virg aen. v. 94,et seq.
548.Par. dies, the days on which the Parentalia were celebrated.—Deseruere, neglected.
554.Deformes, scil,simulacra modis pallentia miris, or, as Lenz understands it, having no certain form.
557.Viduae puellae, either widows, or, ifviduaeis taken in its general sense, simply unmarried women. Two MSS. readavidae.
558.Puros dies, days not devoted to gloomy or melancholy matters, like the Feralia.
559, 560.Quaeetc. opposed, it would appear, to theviduaeof v. 557.—Hasta. It was the custom to divide the hair of a virgin-bride with the point of a small spear.
560. Torches were used at funerals and at theParentalia, as well as at weddings.
563. During this time, the temples of the gods were closed, and no sacred rites performed.
566. That the souls of the dead loved to partake of food, is an opinion as old as the time of Homer. See the [Greek: nekuia] in the Odyssey.
567, 568. The Feralia, or last day for appeasing the Manes, was the XII. Kal. Mart, from which, to the end of the month, there were exactly eleven; that is, six and five days. Some have thought that the poet meant six feet only, and that therefore the Feralia were the VI. Kal. Mart, but this is contradicted by v. 684, and by an ancient calendar which places them on the XII. Kal. Mart.
569. See note on v. 533.
571. He now relates the rites performed on this day to the goddess Muta or Tacita, to bind the tongues of detractors. Neapolis thinks that the reason of uniting them with the Parentalia, may have been to give effect to the maxim,de mortuis nil nisi bonum.—Annosa, Heinsius would readvinosaorpannosa.
574.Brevis, i. e.parvus.
575.Plumbo. Black lead was employed in magic. One or two MSS. readrhombo, which is adopted by Heinsius and Gierig, and which I should also feel disposed to adopt. Therhombusor spindle, and the black or party-coloured threads were of great use in magic. See Virg. Ecl. viii. 75.
576. Seven, like three, was a magic number.
578.Maenae. Themaenawas a small fish of little value, which was salted and eaten by the poorer sort of people. It was used on this occasion symbolically, and was an appropriate offering to the goddess of Silence. This, which is the reading of only two MSS. has been adopted by all the editors: the MSS. in general readmentaormintha.
581.Vinximus.Vincirewas the appropriate word to express the hindrance of any action by magic art.
583. This legend must have been invented long after the Romans had become acquainted with Grecian Mythology, as their ancient religion knew nothing of choirs of nymphs, or of amours of the gods. See Mythology, p. 450.
585.Indomita, [Greek: adamasto]. Many MSS. readimmodico, andvictusforcaptus.
598. The nymphs of the Anien, the god of which, according to our poet (Am. III. 6, 45,) espoused the mother of Romulus. Horace (Car. I. 2, 17,) unites her to the god of the Tiber.
600. That is, her name was 615. The Romans had both Lala, fromlalia.
601. He makes her the daughter of the god of the river Almo.
605.Nuptamscil. Junonem. The common reading of the MSS. isnuptas; some havenymphaeor _nympnam. It is evident that the poet wished to express the busy meddling loquacity of Lara, as it would have sufficed to set Juturna on her guard.
615. The Romans had both public and private Lares. The word Las is Etruscan and signifiedLord. See V. 1238,et seq. and Mythology, pp. 481.482.
617—638. On the XI. Kal. Mart. was held the domestic feast, named the Caristia, fromcarus. "Convivium etiam solemne majores instituerunt, idque Caristia appellaverunt, cui praeter cognatos et affines nemo interponebatur; ut si qua inter necessarios querela esset orta, apud sacra mensae et inter hilaritatem animorum, fautoribus concordiae adhibitis, tolleretur." Valer. Max. II. 1.
619. He gives the reason why the Caristia followed immediately after the Feralia, that the dead might visit their friends, and have their share of the feast. See above note on v. 566.
625. Who thinks his father or mother lives too long.
628. Ino. For all the persons mentioned here, see my Mythology, under their names.
631. The Genii, and all the domestic gods, were calledDi boni, [Greek: agathoi daimones]. The Lares or Penates are meant here.
633.Libate dapes. Place a portion of the food (dapes) on apatellato be set before the gods, i. e. theLares.Libare, dapes, patellaandhonor, are all the appropriate terms.
634.Incinctos, that is,succinctos. See V. 2l7. 675. Persius Sat. V.3l.
635.Nox ultima, the latter part of the night towards morning, Most MSS. readhumida.
636.Larga. One or two MSS. read parca, which Heinsius and Gierig adopt without hesitation,—Precaturi manu. Heinsius conjecturesprecaturae manus, which reading is adopted by Gierig. In their editions the line runs thus:Parca precaturae sumite vina manus.
637. It was considered highly culpable not to join the name of the prince in their supplications on occasions like this. Hence we seem to have derived the custom of drinking the king's health.
639. On the VIII. Kal. Mart. was the festival of the Terminalia, instituted, as was said, by Numa.
640. The Terminus or boundary, which also represented the god, was either a stone or a post of wood placed in the ground.
643. He here gives a minute description of the mode of worshiping the god of boundaries.—Duo domini, the owners of the ground on both sides.
644.Bina, same asduo.
645.Curto testu, a small earthen vessel. Heinsius has proved by abundant examples, that this was a usual sense ofcurtus.
648.Rami. These were driven into the ground, or rather into the sod-built altar, to keep the wood which was piled up from tumbling about.
650.Canistra, the basket in which were the corn, &c. to be used.
654.Candida, clad in white.
659. This is the hymn of the poet, rather than of the rustics.
663. The well-known story of the combat between three hundred Lacedaemonians and as many Argives, for the possession of Thyrea. See Herod. I. 82. Lucian, Charon, Valerius Maximus, &c.
665.Lectus, read; for when the three surviving Argives had run home with the news of their victory, thinking all the enemies dead, he got up, piled a trophy, and inscribed it with his blood. All the MSS. readtectus;lectusis the conjecture of Barthius, as Statius, Theb. iv. 47, says,Et Lacedaemonium Thyre lectura cruorem. It is almost certain that it is the true reading; the exclamation in the following line appears to confirm it.
667. See the story in Livy, I. 55.
669.Inventus. Five MSS. readconventus, which Heinsius and Gierig have adopted. Gierig interprets itcum ad eum convenissent augures. I must doubt ifconventusever occurs in this passive sense. Burmann proposestunc lentus.
670.Unde in Capitolio superna pars tecti patet quae lapidem ipsum Termini spectat, nam Termino non nisi, sub divo sacrificabatur. Servius on aen. ixx. 448.
680. It is well known that aeneas landed in this part of the country. See Virgil, Livy, &c.
682. The boundary of the Roman dominion was at one time between the fifth and sixth milestone on the Laurentine way.—How it was enlarged in the days of the poet! A sacrifice to Terminus was still offered on that spot.
684. A play on words.
685. TheRegifugium, or banishment of the Tarquins, is placed by the poet on the 24th February, the VIII. Kal. Mart. One very ancient MS. readsquintus, which reading is adopted by Neapolis and by Petavius, who accuses Ovid of gross negligence. One MS. readsSeptimus extremo.
687. See the whole history in Livy, I. Niebuhr (Rom. Hist, I. 486,) justly gives the palm to the narrative of the historian over that of our poet. The modern historian's criticism of the whole story is exceedingly well worthy of perusal.
690. Livy, I. 53. It is the story of Zopyrus, transferred from Herodotus (III. 154,) to the Roman history.
694.Hoc Ithacus velit, et magno mercentur Atridae. Virg.
703. This also is taken from Herodotus, (v. 92) who tells us that Thrasybulus, the tyrant of Miletus, employed the same mode of giving counsel to Periander.
704.Sectus. Most MSS. readseptus. The former is much to be preferred.Secois frequently used of rivers.
706. In the ordinary narrative they are poppies.
713. The poet in his haste or negligence confounds matters here, for this response was given to their question, of who should be king of Rome. See Livy.
716.Turba. There were but two sons of Tarquin sent to consult the oracle.
729.Torus socialis, i.e.uxor.—In officio, faithful.Fundanos in officio esse. Liv. viii. 19.
733.Cui clarum, etc. When Tarquin took Collatia from the Sabines, he made his uncle, Egerius, governor of it, whose son was thence named Collatinus. A different, and much more probable origin of names of this kind, is given by Niebuhr. Rom. Hist. I. 293.
739.Nurum, the wife of Sextus Tarquinius. Nodell ad Avian, p. 108, proposesnurus. It isnurusin Livy. The poet (v. 725,) has, however, spoken of but one of the young Tarquinii.—Coronis, several MSS. readcapillis, but compare v. 772.
744.Tenui, a low, soft voice.
746.Lacerna, a thick, warm, military cloak.
747. This is said to intimate the retired life which Lucretia led.
749. You will certainly be conquered at last; you hold out against better (i.e. braver) men.Dum pugnant Danai dum restat barbarus Hector, Propert, III. 7, 31.Nunc paucis plures vix restatis. Liv. xxiii. 45.
755.Intenta, drawn. Most MSS. readincepta.
765.Et quod, etc. Her modesty.Tum forma, tum spectata castitas incitat. Livy.
785.aerata, covered with brass.
787.Hostis ut hospes. This play on words was not disdained even by Livy, who puts it in the mouth of Lucretia herself.
788. He was second cousin to Collatinus.
807. Compare v. 809.Pro crimine, as a means of criminating you.
808.Adulter, scil. Sextus himself.
825.Hoc, scil. that I am obliged to relate my own disgrace. How infinitely superior is Livy here. It is probable that he kept much closer to Ennius than Ovid chose to do.
833. Euripides (Hec. 568,) says of Polyxena [Greek: hae de kai thnaeskous omos Pollaen pronoian eichen euschaemos pesein].
837. Brutus signifiesstupid, foolish. Niebuhr shews well the inconsistencies and contradictions in the whole history of Brutus.
845.Ad verba. Eight MSS. readadversa.—Sine lumine, as being now sunk in death.
846.Concussa coma. Gierig thinks this is an allusion to the Jupiter of Homer, and condemns it; most justly, no doubt, if it is such, but of that I am by no means certain.
847.Ferturscil. effertur_.
848. Tears for her own hard fate; hatred (invidia, odium) of the tyrant.
853. Columella, xi. 2, says, that the, swallow is seen on the VII. Kal. Mart, Pliny, II. 47, says,Favonium quidam a. d. viii. Kal. Mart. Chelidoniam vacant ab hirundinis visu.—Veris praenuntia[Greek: haeros angelos imerophonos aaedon]. Sappho.
854.Quascil.parte.
855. For Progne and Tereus, see Met. vi. 425,et seq. Mythology, p. 341.
857. The Equiria or horseraces on the Campus Martius, in honour of Mars, were held on the III. Kal. Mart.
861. Your month (tua tempora) demands a place in my poem.
864.Mihi. Five MSS. readmea.
Bellice, depositis clypeo paullisper et hasta,Mars, ades, et nitidas casside solve comas.Forsitan ipse roges, quid sit cum Marte poetae.A te, qui canitur, nomina mensis habet.Ipse vides manibus peragi fera bella Minervae; 5Num minus ingenuis artibus illa vacat?Palladis exemplo ponendae tempora sumeCuspidis; invenies et quod inermis agas.Tum quoque inermis eras, quum te Romana sacerdosCepit, ut huic urbi semina digna dares. 10Silvia Vestalis—quid enim vetat inde moveri?—Sacra lavaturas mane petebat aquas.Ventum erat ad molli declivem tramite ripam:Ponitur e summa fictilis urna coma.Fessa resedit humi, ventosque accepit aperto 15Pectore, turbatas restituitque comas.Dum sedet, umbrosae salices volucresque canorae?Fecerunt somnos, et leve murmur aquae.Blanda quies victis furtim subrepit ocellis,Et cadit a mento languida facta manus. 20Mars videt hanc, visamque cupit, potiturque cupitam,Et sua divina furta fefellit ope.Somnus abit: jacet illa gravis. Jam scilicet intraViscera, Romanae conditor urbis, eras.Languida consurgit, nec scit, cur languida surgat, 25Et peragit tales arbore nixa sonos:Utile sit faustumque, precor, quod imagine somniVidimus! An somno clarius illud erat?Ignibus Iliacis aderam, quum lapsa capillisDecidit ante sacros lanea vitta focos. 30Inde duae pariter—visu mirabile—palmaeSurgunt. Ex illis altera major erat,Et gravibus ramis totum protexerat orbem,Contigeratque nova sidera summa coma.Ecce meus ferrum patruus molitur in illas! 35Terreor admonitu, corque timore micat.Martia picus avis gemino pro stipite pugnantEt lupa. Tuta per hos utraque palma fuit.Dixerat: et plenam non firmis viribus urnamSustulit.—Implerat, dum sua visa refert.— 40Interea crescente Remo, crescente Quirino,Coelesti tumidus pondere venter erat.Quo minus emeritis exiret cursibus annus,Restabant nitido jam duo signa deo:Silvia fit mater. Vestae simulacra feruntur 45Virgineas oculis opposuisse manus.Ara deae certe tremuit, pariente ministra,Et subiit cineres territa flamma suos.Haec ubi cognovit contemptor Amulius aequi,—Nam raptas fratri victor habebat opes— 50Amne jubet mergi geminos. Scelus unda refugit:In sicca pueri destituuntur humo.Lacte quis infantes nescit crevisse ferino,Et picum expositis saepe tulisse cibos?Non ego te, tantae nutrix Larentia gentis, 55Nec taceam vestras, Faustule pauper, opes.Vester honos veniet, quum Larentalia dicam:Acceptus Geniis illa December habet.Martia ter senos proles adoleverat annos,Et suberat flavae jam nova barba comae: 60Omnibus agricolis armentorumque magistrisIliadae fratres jura petita dabant.Saepe domum veniunt praedonum sanguine laeti,Et redigunt actos in sua rura boves.Ut genus audierunt, animos pater editus auget, 65Et pudet in paucis nomen habere casis:Romuleoque cadit trajectus Amulius ense,Regnaque longaevo restituuntur avo.Moenia conduntur, quae, quamvis parva fuerunt,Non tamen expediit transiluisse Remo. 70Jam, modo qua fuerant silvae pecorumque recessus,Urbs erat, aeternae quum pater urbis ait:Arbiter armorum, de cujus sanguine natusCredor, et ut credar, pignora certa dabo,A te principium Romano ducimus anno: 75Primus de patrio nomine mensis eat.Vox rata fit, patrioque vocat de nomine mensem.Dicitur haec pietas grata fuisse deo.Et tamen ante omnes Martem coluere priores;Hoc dederat studiis bellica turba suis; 80Pallada Cecropidae, Minoia Creta Dianam,Vulcanum tellus Hypsipylea colit:Junonem Sparte Pelopeïadesque Mycenae:Pinigerum Fauni Maenalis ora caput.Mars Latio venerandus erat, quia praesidet armis. 85Arma ferae genti remque decusque dabant.Quod si forte vacas, peregrinos inspice fastos:Mensis in his etiam nomine Martis erit.Tertius Albanis, quintus fuit ille Faliscis:Sextus apud populos, Hernica terra, tuos. 90Inter Aricinos Albanaque tempora constantFactaque Telegoni moenia celsa manu.Quintum Laurentes, bis quintum Aequicolus asper,A tribus hunc primum turba Curensis habet.Et tibi cum proavis, miles Peligne, Sabinis 95Convenit: hic genti quartus utrique deus.Romulus, hos omnes ut vinceret ordine saltem,Sanguinis auctori tempora prima dedit.Nec totidem veteres, quot nunc, habuere Kalendas,Ille minor geminis mensibus annus erat. 100Nondum tradiderat victas victoribus artesGraecia, facundum, sed male forte genus.Qui bene pugnabat, Romanam noverat artem;Mittere qui poterat pila, disertus erat.Quis tunc aut Hyadas, aut Pliadas Atlanteas 105Senserat, aut geminos esse sub axe polos?Esse duas Arctos, quarum Cynosura petaturSidoniis, Helicen Graja carina notet?Signaque, quae longo frater percenseat anno,Ire per haec uno inense sororis equos? 110Libera currebant, et inobservata per annumSidera: constabat sed tamen esse deos.Non illi coelo labentia signa movebant,Sed sua: quae magnum perdere crimen erat.Illa quidem feno; sed erat reverentia feno, 115Quantam nunc aquilas cernis habere tuas.Pertica suspensos portabat longa maniplos:Unde maniplaris nomina miles habet.Ergo animi indociles et adhuc ratione carentesMensibus egerunt lustra minora decem. 120Annus erat, decimum quum luna repleverat orbem.Hic numerus magno tunc in honore fuit;Seu quia tot digiti, per quos numerare solemus:Seu quia bis quino femina mense parit:Seu quod adusque decem numero crescente venitur; 125Principium spatiis sumitur inde novis.Inde pares centum denos secrevit in orbesRomulus, Hastatos instituitque decem;Et totidem Princeps, totidem Pilanus habebatCorpora, legitimo quique merebat equo. 130Quin etiam paries totidem Titiensibus idem,Quosque vocant Ramnes, Luceribusque dedit.Assuetos igitur numeros servavit in anno.Hoc luget spatio femina maesta virum.Neu dubites, primae fuerint quin ante Kalendae 135Martis, ad haec animum signa referre potes,Laurea Flaminibus, quae toto perstitit anno,Tollitur, et frondes sunt in honore novae.Janua nunc Regis posita viret arbore Phoebi:Ante tuas fit idem, Curia Prisca, fores. 140Vesta quoque ut folio niteat velata recenti,Cedit ab Iliacis laurea cana focis.Adde, quod arcana fieri novus ignis in aedeDicitur, et vires flamma refecta capit.Nec mihi parva fides, annos hinc isse priores, 145Anna quod hoc coepta est mense Perenna coli.Hinc etiam veteres initi memorantur honoresAd spatium belli, perfide Poene, tui.Denique quintus ab hoc fuerat Quintilis, et indeIncipit, a numero nomina quisquis habet. 150Primus oliviferis Romam deductus ab arvisPompilius menses sensit abesse duos:Sive hoc a Samio doctus, qui posse renasciNos putat, Egeria sive monente sua.Sed tamen errabant etiam tunc tempora, donec 155Caesaris in multis haec quoque cura fuit.Non haec ille deus, tantaeque propaginis auctor,Credidit officiis esse minora suis,Promissumque sibi voluit praenoscere coelum,Nec deus ignotas hospes inire domos, 160Ille moras solis, quibus in sua signa rediret,Traditur exactis disposuisse notis.Is decies senos tercentum et quinque diebusJunxit, et e pleno tempora quarta die.Hic anni modus est. In lustrum accedere debet, 165Quae consummatur partibus, una dies.
Si licet occultus monitus audire deorumVatibus, ut certe fama licere putat,Quum sis officiis, Gradive, virilibus aptus,Dic mihi, matronae cur tua festa colant. 170Sic ego. Sic posita dixit mihi casside Mavors;Sed tamen in dextra missilis hasta fuit:Nunc primum studiis pacis deus utilis armisAdvocor, et gressus in nova castra fero.Nec piget incepti; juvat hac quoque parte morari, 175Hoc solam ne se posse Minerva putet.Disce, Latinorum vates operose dierum,Quod petis, et memori pectore dicta nota.Parva fuit, si prima velis elementa referre,Roma: sed in parva spes tamen hujus erat. 180Moenia jam stabant, populis angusta futuris,Credita sed turbae tunc nimis ampla suae.Quae fuerit nostri, si quaeris, regia nati,Adspice de canna straminibusque domum.In stipula placidi carpebat munera somni, 185Et tamen ex illo venit in astro toro.Jamque loco majus nomen Romanus habebat,Nec conjux illi, nec socer ullus erat.Spernebant generos inopes vicinia dives,Et male credebar sanguinis auctor ego. 190In stabulis habitasse, boves pavisse, nocebat,Jugeraque inculti pauca tenere soli.Cum pare quaeque suo coëunt volucresque feraeque,Atque aliquam, de qua procreet, anguis habet.Extremis dantur connubia gentibus: at, quae 195Romano vellet nubere, nulla fuit.Indolui, patriamque dedi tibi, Romule, mentem.Tolle preces, dixi: quod petis, arma dabunt.Festa para Conso.—Consus tibi cetera dicetIllo facta die, quum sua sacra canes.— 200Intumuere Cures, et quos dolor attigit idem,Tum primum generis intulit arma socer.Jamque fere raptae matrum quoque nomen habebant,Tractaque erant longa bella propinqua mora,Conveniunt nuptae dictam Junonis in aedem, 205Quas inter mea sic est nurus orsa loqui:O pariter raptae,—quoniam hoc commune tenemus—Non ultra lente possumus esse piae.Stant acies: sed utra dî sint pro parte rogandi,Eligite; hinc conjux, hinc pater arma tenent, 210Quaerendum, viduae fieri malimus an orbae.Consilium vobis forte piumque dabo.Consilium dederat: parent, crinemque resolvunt,Maestaque funerea corpora veste tegunt.Jam stabant acies ferro mortique paratae: 215Jam lituus pugnae signa daturus erat:Quum raptae veniunt inter patresque virosque,Inque sinu natos, pignora cara, ferunt.Ut medium campi passis tetigere capillis,In terram posito procubuere genu; 220Et, quasi sentirent, blando clamore nepotesTendebant ad avos brachia parva suos.Qui poterat, clamabat avum tum denique visum,Et qui vix poterat, posse coactus erat.Tela viris animique cadunt, gladiisque remotis 225Dant soceri generis accipiuntque manus;Laudatasque tenent natas, scutoque nepotemFert avus: hic scuti dulcior usus erat.Inde diem, quae prima, meas celebrare KalendasOebalides matres non leve munus habent. 230An, quia committi strictis mucronibus ausaeFinierant lacrimis Martia bella suis?Vel, quod erat de me feliciter Ilia mater,Rite colunt matres sacra diemque meum?Quid? quod hiems adoperta gelu nunc denique cedit, 235Et pereunt victae sole tepente nives;Arboribus redeunt detonsae frigore frondes,Vividaque e tenero palmite gemma tumet;Quaeque diu latuit, nunc, se qua tollat in auras,Fertilis occultas invenit herba vias. 240Nunc fecundus ager: pecoris nunc hora creandi:Nunc avis in ramo tecta laremque parat.Tempora jure colunt Latiae fecunda parentes,Quarum militiam votaque partus habet.Adde, quod, excubias ubi rex Romanus agebat, 245—Qui nunc Esquilias nomina collis habet—Illic a nuribus Junoni templa LatinisHac sunt, si memini, publica facta die.Quid moror, et variis onero tua pectora causis?Eminet ante oculos, quod petis, ecce tuos. 250Mater amat nuptas: matrum me turba frequentant.Haec nos praecipue tam pia causa decet.Ferte deae flores: gaudet florentibus herbisHaec dea: de tenero cingite flore caput.Dicite, Tu lucem nobis, Lucina, dedisti; 255Dicite, Tu voto parturientis ades.Si qua tamen gravida est, resoluto crine precetur,Ut solvat partus molliter illa suos.
Quis mihi nunc dicet, quare coelestia MartisArma ferant Salii, Mamuriumque canant? 260Nympha, mone, nemori stagnoque operata Dianae:Nympha, Numae conjux, ad tua facta veni.Vallis Aricinae silva praecinctus opacaEst lacus antiqua religione sacer.Hic latet Hippolytus furiis distractus equorum: 265Unde nemus nullis illud initur equis.Licia dependent longas velantia sepes,Et posita est meritae multa tabella deae.Saepe potens voti, frontem redimita coronis,Femina lucentes portat ab urbe faces. 270Regna tenent fortesque manu, pedibusque fugaces;Et perit exemplo postmodo quisque suo.Defluit incerto lapidosus murmure rivus:Saepe, sed exiguis haustibus, inde bibi.Egeria est, quae praebet aquas, dea grata Camenis. 275Illa Numae conjux consiliumque fuit.Principio nimium promptos ad bella QuiritesMolliri placuit jure deûmque metu.Inde datae leges, ne firmior omnia posset,Coeptaque sunt pure tradita sacra coli. 280Exuitur feritas, armisque potentius aequum est,Et cum cive pudet conseruisse manus.Atque aliquis, modo trux, visa jam vertitur ara,Vinaque dat tepidis salsaque farra focis.Ecce deûm genitor rutilas per nubila flammas 285Spargit, et effusis aethera siccat aquis.Non alias missi cecidere frequentius ignes.Rex pavet, et vulgi pectora terror habet.Cui dea, Ne nimium terrere! piabile fulmenEst, ait, et saevi flectitur ira Jovis. 290Sed poterunt ritum Picus Faunusque piandiProdere, Romani numen uterque soli.Nec sine vi tradent; adhibeto vincula captis!Atque ita, qua possint, erudit, arte capi.Lucus Aventino suberat niger ilicis umbra, 295Quo posses viso dicere, numen inest.In medio gramen, muscoque adoperta virentiManabat saxo vena perennis aquae.Inde fere soli Faunus Picusque bibebant.Huc venit, et Fonti rex Numa mactat ovem, 300Plenaque odorati dîs ponit pocula Bacchi,Cumque suis antro conditus ipse latet.Ad solitos veniunt silvestria numina fontes,Et relevant multo pectora sicca mero.Vina quies sequitur: gelido Numa prodit ab antro, 305Vinclaque sopitas addit in arcta manus.Somnus ut abscessit, tentando vincula pugnantRumpere: pugnantes fortius illa tenent.Tum Numa, Di nemorum, factis ignoscite nostris,Si scelus ingenio scitis abesse meo; 310Quoque modo possit fulmen, monstrate, piari.Sic Numa. Sic quatiens cornua Faunus ait:Magna petis, nec quae monitu tibi discere nostroFas sit. Habent fines numina nostra suos.Di sumus agrestes, et qui dominemur in altis 315Montibus. Arbitrium est in sua tela Jovi.Hunc tu non poteris per te deducere coelo:At poteris nostra forsitan usus ope.Dixerat haec Faunus: par est sententia Pici.Deme tamen nobis vincula, Picus ait. 320Jupiter huc veniet summa deductus ab arce.Nubila promissi Styx mihi testis erit.Emissi quid agant laqueis, quae carmina dicant,Quaque trahant superis sedibus arte Jovem,Scire nefas homini. Nobis concessa canentur, 325Quaeque pio dici vatis ab ore licet.Eliciunt caelo te, Jupiter; unde minoresNunc quoque te celebrant, Eliciumque vocant.Constat Aventinae tremuisse cacumina silvae,Terraque subsedit pondere pressa Jovis. 330Corda micant regis, totoque e pectore sanguisFugit, et hirsutae diriguere comae.Ut rediit animus, Da certa piamina, dixit,Fulminis, altorum rexque paterque deum,Si tua contigimus manibus donaria puris, 335Hoc quoque, quod petitur, si pia lingua rogat.Annuit oranti: sed verum ambage remotaAbdidit, et dubio terruit ore virum.Caedecaput, dixit. Cui rex, Parebimus, inquit:Caedenda est hortis erutacepameis. 340Addidit hic,Hominis. Summos, ait ille,capillos.Postulat hicanimam. Cui Numa,Piscis, ait.Risit, et, His, inquit, facito mea tela procures,O vir colloquio non abigende deum!Sed tibi, protulerit quum totum crastinus orbem 345Cynthius, imperii pignora certa dabo.Dixit, et ingenti tonitru super aethera motumFertur, adorantem destituitque Numam.Ille redit laetus, memoratque Quiritibus acta.Tarda venit dictis difficilisque fides. 350At certe credemur, ait, si verba sequaturExitus. En, audi crastina, quisquis ades.Protulerit terris quum totum Cynthius orbem,Jupiter imperii pignora certa dabit.Discedunt dubii, promissaque tarda videntur, 355Dependetque fides a veniente die.Mollis erat tellus rorataque mane pruina;Ante sui populus limina regis adest.Prodit et in solio medius consedit acerno.Innumeri circa stantque silentque viri. 360Ortus erat summo tantummodo margine Phoebus:Sollicitae mentes speque metuque pavent.Constitit, atque caput niveo velatus amictuJam bene dîs notas sustulit ille manus.Atque ita, Tempus adest promissi muneris, inquit, 365Pollicitam dictis, Jupiter, adde fidem.Dum loquitur, totum jam sol evolverat orbem,Et gravis aetherio venit ab axe fragor.Ter tonuit sine nube deus, tria fulgura misit.Credite dicenti; mira, sed acta, loquor. 370A media coelum regione dehiscere coepit:Submisere oculos cum duce turba suo.Ecce levi scutum versatum leniter auraDecidit. A populo clamor ad astra venit.Tollit humo munus caesa prius ille juvenca, 375Quae dederat nulli colla premenda jugo;Idqueancilevocat, quod ab omni parte recisum est,Quaque notes oculis angulus omnis abest.Tum, memor imperii sortem consistere in illo,Consilium multae calliditatis init. 380Plura jubet fieri simili caelata figura,Error ut ante oculos insidiantes eat.Mamurius, morum fabraene exactior artis,Difficile est ulli dicere, clausit opus.Cui Numa munificus, Facti pete praemia, dixit: 385Si mea nota fides, irrita nulla petes.Jam dederat Saliis—a saltu nomina ducunt—Armaque, et ad certos verba canenda modos.Tum sic Mamurius, Merces mihi gloria detur,Nominaque extreme carmine nostra sonent. 390Inde sacerdotes operi promissa vetustoPraemia persolvunt, Mamuriumque vocant.Nubere si qua voles, quamvis properabitis ambo,Differ: habent parvae commoda magna morae.Arma movent pugnam, pugna est aliena maritis. 395Condita quum fuerint, aptius omen erit.His etiam conjux apicati cincta DialisLucibus impexas debet habere comas.
Tertia nox emersa suos ubi moverit ignes,Conditus e geminis Piscibus alter erit. 400Nam duo sunt: Austris hic est, Aquilonibus illeProximus; a vento nomen uterque tenet.
Quum croceis rorare genis Tithonia conjuxCoeperit, et quintae tempora lucis aget;Sive est Arctophylax, sive est piger ille Bootes, 405Mergetur, visus effugietque tuos.At non effugiet Vindemitor. Hoc quoque causamUnde trahat sidus, parva docere mora est.Ampelon intonsum Satyris Nymphaque creatumFertur in Ismariis Bacchus amasse jugis. 410Tradidit huic vitem pendentem ex frondibus ulmi,Quae nunc de pueri nomine nomen habet,Dum legit in ramo pictas temerarius uvas,Decidit: amissum Liber in astra vehit.
Sextus ubi Oceano clivosum scandit Olympian 415Phoebus, et alatis aethera carpit equis;Quisquis ades, canaeque colis penetralia Vestae,Cratera Iliacis turaque pone focis.Caesaris innumeris, quem maluit ille mereri,Accessit titulis Pontificalis honos. 420Ignibus aeternis aeterni numina praesuntCaesaris. Imperii pignora juncta vides.De veteris Troiae dignissima praeda favilla,Qua gravis aeneas tutus ab hoste fuit;Ortus ab aenea tangit cognata sacerdos 425Numina; cognatum, Vesta, tuere caput.Quos sancta fovet ille manu, bene vivitis ignes.Vivite inexstincti, flammaque, duxque! precor.Una nota est Martis Nonis, sacrata quod illisTempla putant lucos Vejovis ante duos. 430Romulus ut saxo lucum circumdedit alto,Quilibet huc, inquit, confuge, tutus eris.O quam de tenui Romanus origine crevit!Turba vetus quam non invidiosa fuit!Ne tamen ignaro novitas tibi nominis obstet, 435Disce, quis iste deus, curve vocetur ita.Jupiter est juvenis: juveniles adspice vultus.Adspice deinde manum, fulmina nulla tenet.Fulmina post ausos coelum affectare GigantasSumpta Jovi: primo tempore inermis erat. 440Ignibus Ossa novis, et Pelion altior OssaArsit, et in solida fixus Olympus humo.Stat quoque capra simul: Nymphae pavisse ferunturCretides: infanti lac dedit Jovi.Nunc vocor ad nomen.Vegrandiafarra colonae, 445Quae male creveruut,vescaqueparva vocant.Vis ea si verbi est, cur non egoVejovisaedem,aedem non magni suspicer esse Jovis?Jamque, ubi caeruleum variabunt sidera coelum,Suspice; Gorgonei colla videbis equi. 450Creditur hic caesae gravida cervice MedusaeSanguine respersis prosiluisse jubis.Huic supra nubes et subter sidera lapsoCoelum pro terra, pro pede penna fuit.Jamque indignanti nova frena receperat ore, 455Quum levis Aonias ungula fodit aquas.Nunc fruitur coelo, quod pennis ante petebat,Et nitidus stellis quinque decemque micat.
Protinus adspicies venienti nocte CoronamGnosida. Theseo crimine facta dea est. 460Jam bene perjuro mutarat conjuge Bacchum,Quae dedit ingrato fila legenda viro.Sorte tori gaudens, Quid flebam rustica? dixit,Utiliter nobis perfidus ille fuit.Interea Liber depexus crinibus Indos 465Vincit, et Eoo dives ab orbe redit.Inter captivas facie praestante puellasGrata nimis Baccho filia regis erat.Flebat amans conjux, spatiataque litore curvoEdidit incultis talia verba comis: 470En iterum similes, fluctus, audite querelas!En iterum lacrimas accipe, arena, meas!Dicebam, memini, perjure et perfide Theseu!Ille abiit: eadem crimina Bacchus habet.Nunc quoque, nulla viro, clamabo, femina credat. 475Nomine mutato causa relata mea est.O utinam mea sors, qua primum coeperat, isset!Jamque ego praesenti tempore nulla forem!Quid me desertis perituram, Liber, arenisServabas? potui dedoluisse semel. 480Bacche levis, leviorque tuis, quae tempora cingunt,Frondibus, in lacrimas cognite Bacche meas,Ausus es ante oculos adducta pellice nostrosTam bene compositum sollicitare torum.Heu! ubi pacta fides? ubi, quae jurare solebas? 485Me miseram! quoties haec ego verba loquor!Thesea culpabas, fallacemque ipse vocabas:Judicio peccas turpius ipse tuo.Ne sciat hoc quisquam, tacitisque doloribus urar!Ne toties falli digna fuisse puter! 490Praecipue cupiam celari Thesea, ne teConsortem culpae gaudeat esse suae.At, puto, praeposita est fuscae mihi candida pellex.Eveniat nostris hostibus ille color!Quid tamen hoc refert? vitio tibi gratior ipso est. 495Quid facis? amplexus inquinat illa tuos.Bacche, fidem praesta, nec praefer amoribus ullamConjugis assuetae semper amare virum.Ceperunt matrem formosi cornua tauri;Me tua: me laudant, ille pudendus amor. 500Ne noceat quod amo! neque enim tibi, Bacche, nocebat,Quod flammas nobis fassus es ipse tuas;Nec, quod nos uris, mirum facis; ortus in igneDiceris, et patria raptus ab igne manu.Illa ego sum, cui tu solitus promittere coelum. 505Hei mihi, pro coelo qualia dona fero!Dixerat: audibat jamdudum verba querentisLiber, ut a tergo forte secutus erat.Occupat amplexu, lacrimasque per oscula siccat:Et, Pariter coeli summa petamus, ait. 510Tu mihi juncta toro mihi juncta vocabula sumes;Jam tibi mutatae Libera nomen erit;Sintque tuae tecum faciam monumenta coronae,Vulcanus Veneri quam dedit, illa tibi.Dicta facit, gemmasque novem transformat in ignes. 515Aurea per stellas nunc micat illa novem.
Sex ubi sustulerit, totidem demerserit orbes,Purpureum rapido qui vehit axe diem;Altera gramineo spectabis Equiria campo,Quem Tiberis curvis in latus urget aquis. 520Qui tamen ejecta si forte tenebitur unda,Coelius accipiat pulverulentus equos.
Idibus est Annae festum geniale Perennse,Haud procul a ripis, advena Tibri, tuis.Plebs venit, ac virides passim disjecta per herbas 525Potat, et accumbit cum pare quisque sua.Sub Jove pars durat: pauci tentoria ponunt:Sunt, quibus e ramis frondea facta casa est:Pars ibi pro rigidis calamos statuere columnis,Desuper extentas imposuere togas. 530Sole tamen vinoque calent, annosque precantur,Quot sumant cyathos, ad numerumque bibunt.Invenies illic, qui Nestoris ebibat annos:Quae sit per calices facta Sibylla suos.Illic et cantant, quiquid didicere theatris, 535Et jactant faciles ad sua verba manus:Et ducunt posito duras cratere choreas,Cultaque diffusis saltat amica comis.Quum redeunt, titubant, et sunt spectacula vulgo,Et fortunatos obvia turba vocat. 540Occurri nuper. Visa est mihi digna relatuPompa: senem potum pota trahebat anus.Quae tamen haec Dea sit,—quoniam rumoribus errat—Fabula proposito nulla tacenda meo.Arserat Aeneae Dido miserabilis igne: 545Arserat exstructis in sua fata rogis:Compositusque cinis, tumulique in marmore carmenHoc breve, quod moriens ipsa reliquit, erat:Praebuit aeneas et causam mortis et ensem:Ipsa sua Dido concidit usa manu. 550Protinus invadunt Numidae sine vindice regnum,Et potitur capta Maurus Iarba domo;Seque memor spretum, Thalamis tamen, inquit, ElissaeEn ego, quem toties reppulit illa, fruor!Diffugiunt Tyrii, quo quemque agit error, ut olim 555Amisso dubiae rege vagantur apes.Tertia nudandas acceperat area messes,Inque cavos ierant tertia musta lacus;Pellitur Anna domo, lacrimansque sororia linquitMoenia: germanae justa dat ante suae. 560Mixta bibunt molles lacrimis unguenta favillae,Vertice libatas accipiuntque comas;Terque, Vale, dixit: cineres ter ad ora relatosPressit, et est illis visa subesse soror.Nacta ratem comitemque fugae pede labitur sequo, 565Moenia respiciens, dulce sororis opus.Fertilis est Melite sterili vicina CosyraeInsula, quam Libyci verberat unda freti.Hanc petit hospitio regis confisa vetusto;Hospes opum dives rex ibi Battus erat. 570Qui postquam didicit casus utriusque sororis,Haec, inquit, tellus quantulacumque tua est.Et tamen hospitii servasset ad ultima munus,Sed timuit magnas Pygmalionis opes.Signa recensuerat his sol sua: tertius ibat 575Annus, et exsulibus terra petenda nova est.Frater adest belloque petit, rex arma perosus,Nos sumus imbelles, tu fuge sospes, ait.Jussa fugit, ventoque ratem committit et undis.Asperior quovis aequore frater erat. 580Est prope piscosos lapidosi Crathidis amnesParvus ager: Cameren incola turba vocat.Illuc cursus erat; nec longius abfuit inde,Quam quantum novies mittere funda potest.Vela cadunt primo, et dubia librantur ab aura. 585Findite remigio, navita dixit, aquas.Dumque parant torto subducere carbasa lino,Percutitur rapido puppis adunca Noto,Inque patens aequor, frustra pugnante magistro,Fertur, et ex oculis visa refugit humus. 590Assiliunt fluctus, imoque a gurgite pontusVertitur, et canas alveus haurit aquas.Vincitur ars vento, nec jam moderator habenisUtitur, at votis is quoque poscit opem.Jactatur tumidas exsul Phoenissa per undas, 595Humidaque opposita lumina veste tegit.Tum primum Dido felix est dicta sorori,Et quaecumque aliquam corpore pressit humum.Figitur ad Laurens ingenti flamine litusPuppis, et expositis omnibus hausta perit. 600Jam pius aeneas regno nataque LatiniAuctus erat, populos miscueratque duos.Litore dotali solo comitatus AchateSecretum nudo dum pede carpit iter,Adspicit errantem, nec credere sustinet Annam 605Esse. Quid in Latios illa veniret agros?Dum secum aeneas,Annaest! exclamat Achates.Ad nomen vultus sustulit illa suos.Quo fugiat? quid agat? quos terrae quaerat hiatus?Ante oculos miserae fata sororis erant. 610Sensit et alloquitur trepidam Cythereius heros:Flet tamen admonitu mortis, Elissa, tuae.Anna, per hanc juro, quam quondam audire solebasTellurem fato prosperiore dari;Perque deos comites, hac nuper sede locatos, 615Saepe meas illos increpuisse moras.Nec timui de morte tamen: metus abfuit iste.Hei mihi! credibili fortior illa fuit.Ne refer. Adspexi non illo pectore dignaVulnera, Tartareas ausus adire domos. 620At tu, seu ratio te nostris appulit oris,Sive deus, regni commoda carpe mei.Multa tibi memores, nil non debemus Elissae.Nomine grata tuo, grata sororis, eris.Talia dicenti—neque enim spes altera restat— 625Credidit, errores exposuitque suos.Utque domum intravit Tyrios induta paratus,Incipit Aeneas:—cetera turba silet—Hanc tibi cur tradam, pia causa, Lavinia conjux,Est mihi: consumpsi naufragus hujus opes. 630Orta Tyro regnum Libyca possedit in ora:Quam precor ut carae more sororis ames.Omnia promittit, falsumque Lavinia vulnusMente premit tacita, dissimulatque fremens;Donaque quum videat praeter sua lumina ferri 635Multa palam, mitti clam quoque multa putat.Non tamen exactum, quid agat. Furialiter odit,Et parat insidias, et cupit ulta mori.Nox erat: ante torum visa est adstare sororisSqualenti Dido sanguinolenta coma, 640Et, Fuge, ne dubita, maestum fuge, dicere, tectum,Sub verbum querulas impulit aura fores.Exsilit, et velox humili super arva fenestraSe jacit;—audacem fecerat ipse timor—Quaque metu rapitur tunica velata recincta, 645Currit, ut auditis territa dama lupis.Corniger hanc cupidis rapuisse Numicius undisCreditur, et stagnis occuluisse suis.Sidonis interea magno clamore per agrosQuaeritur. Apparent signa notaeque pedum. 650Ventum erat ad ripas: inerant vestigia ripis.Sustinuit tacitas conscius amnis aquas.Ipsa loqui visa est,Placidi sum Nympha Numici:Amne perenne latens Anna Perenna vocor.Protinus erratis laeti vescuntur in agris, 655Et celebrant largo seque diemque mero.Sunt, quibus haec Luna est, quia mensibus impleat annum:Pars Themin, Inachiam pars putat esse bovem.Invenies, qui te Nymphen Atlantida dicant,Teque Jovi primes, Anna, dedisse cibos. 660Haec quoque, quam referam, nostras pervenit ad auresFama, nec a vera dissidet illa fide.Plebs vetus, et nullis etiam tune tuta Tribunis,Fugit, et in sacri vertice mentis abit.Jam quoque, quem secum tulerant, defecerat illos 665Victus et humanis usibus apta Ceres.Orta suburbanis quaedam fuit Anna BovillisPauper, sed multae sedulitatis, anus.Illa levi mitra canos redimita capillosFingebat tremula rustica liba manu. 670Atque ita per populum fumantia mane solebatDividere. Haec populo copia grata fuit.Pace domi facta signum posuere Perennae,Quod sibi defectis illa tulisset opem.Nunc mihi, cur cantent, superest, obscena puellae, 675Dicere: nam coëunt certaque probra canunt.Nuper erat dea facta; venit Gradivus ad Annam,Et cum seducta talia verba facit:Mense meo coleris: junxi mea tempora tecum:Pendet ab officio spes mihi magna tuo. 680Armifer armiferae correptus amore MinervaeUror, et hoc longo tempore vulnus alo.Effice, dî studio similes coëamus in unum.Conveniunt partes hae tibi, comis anus.Dixerat: illa deum promisso ludit inani, 685Et stultam dubia spem trahit usque mora.Saepius instanti, Mandata peregimus, inquit:Evicta est precibus: vix dedit illa manus.Gaudet amans thalamosque parat. Deducitur illucAnna tegens vultus, ut nova nupta, suos. 690Oscula sumpturus subito Mars adspicit Annam;Nunc pudor elusum, nunc subit ira, deum.Ridet amatorem carae nova diva Minervae;Nec res hac Veneri gratior ulla fuit.Inde joci veteres obscenaque dicta canuntur, 695Et juvat hanc magno verba dedisse deo.Praeteriturus eram gladios in principe fixos,Quum sic a castis Vesta locuta focis:Ne dubita meminisse: meus fuit ille sacerdos.Sacrilegae telis me petiere manus. 700Ipsa virum rapui, simulacraque nuda reliqui;Quae cecidit ferro, Caesaris umbra fuit.Ille quidem coelo positus Jovis atria vidit,Et tenet in magno templa dicata foro.At quicumque nefas ausi, prohibente deorum 705Numine, polluerant Pontificale caput,Morte jacent merita. Testes estote Philippi,Et quorum sparsis ossibus albet humus.Hoc opus, haec pietas, haec prima elementa fueruntCaesaris, ulcisci justa per arma patrem. 710
Postera quum teneras Aurora refecerit herbas,Scorpios a prima parte videndus erit.
Tertia post Idus lux est celeberrima Baccho.Bacche, fave vati, dum tua festa cano.Nec referam Semelen; ad quam nisi fulmina secum 715Jupiter afferret, parvus inermis erat:Nec, puer ut posses maturo tempore nasci,Expletum patrio corpore matris onus.Sithonas et Scythicos longum est narrare triumphos,Et domitas gentes, turifer Inde, tuas. 720Tu quoque Thebanae mala praeda tacebere matris,Inque tuum furiis acte, Lycurge, genu.Ecce libet subitos pisces Tyrrhenaque monstraDicere; sed non est carminis hujus opus.Carminis hujus opus, causas expromere, quare 725Vilis anus populos ad sua liba vocet.Ante tuos ortus arae sine honore fuerunt,Liber, et in gelidis herba reperta focis.Te memorant, Gange totoque Oriente subacto,Primitias magno seposuisse Jovi. 730Cinnama tu primus captivaque tura dedisti,Deque triumphato viscera tosta bove.Nomine ab auctoris ducunt Libamina nomen,Libaque, quod sacris pars datur inde focis.Liba deo fiunt, succis quia dulcibus ille 735Gaudet, et a Baccho mella reperta ferunt.Ibat arenoso Satyris comitatus ab Hebro:—Non habet ingratos fabula nostra jocos—Jamque erat ad Rhodopen Pangaeaque florida ventum:aeriferae comitum concrepuere manus. 740Ecce novae coëunt volucres tinnitibus actae,Quaque movent sonitus aera sequuntur apes.Colligit errantes, et in arbore claudit inaniLiber: et inventi praemia mellis habet.Ut Satyri levisque senex tetigere saporem, 745Quaerebant flavos per nemus omne favos,Audit in exesa stridorem examinis ulmo,Adspicit et ceras dissimulatque senex;Utque piger pandi tergo residebat aselli,Applicat hunc ulmo corticibusque cavis. 750Constitit ipse super ramoso stipite nixus,Atque avide trunco condita mella petit.Millia crabronum coëunt, et vertice nudoSpicula defigunt, oraque summa notant.Ille cadit praeceps, et calce feritur aselli, 755Inclamatque suos, auxiliumque rogat.Concurrunt Satyri, turgentiaque ora parentisRident. Percusso claudicat ille genu.Ridet et ipse deus, limumque inducere monstrat.Hic paret monitis et linit ora luto. 760Melle pater fruitur, liboque infusa calentiJure repertori candida mella damus.Femina cur praestet, non est rationis opertae.Femineos thyrso concitat ille chores.Cur anus hoc faciat, quaeris. Vinosior aetas 765Haec est, et gravidae munera vitis amans.Cur hedera cincta est; Hedera est gratissima Baccho.Hoc quoque cur ita sit, dicere nulla mora est.Nysiades Nymphae, puerum quaerente noverca,Hanc frondem cunis opposuere novis. 770Restat, ut inveniam, quare toga libera deturLucifero pueris, candide Bacche, tuo;Sive, quod ipse puer semper juvenisque videris,Et media est aetas inter utrumque tibi:Seu, quia tu pater es, patres sua pignora natos 775Commendant curae numinibusque tuis;Sive, quod es Liber, vestis quoque libera per teSumitur, et vitae liberioris iter;An quia, quum prisci colerent studiosius agros,Et patrio faceret rure senator opus, 780Et caperet fasces a curvo consul aratro,Nec crimen duras esset habere manus,Rusticus ad ludos populus veniebat in urbem:Sed dîs, non studiis ille dabatur honos.Luce sua ludos uvae commentor habebat: 785Quos cum taedifera nunc habet ipse dea.Ergo, ut tironem celebrare frequentia posset,Visa dies dandae non aliena togae.Mite, Pater, caput huc placataque cornua vertas,Et des ingenio vela secunda meo! 790Itur ad Argeos—qui sint, sua pagina dicet—Hac, si commemini, praeteritaque die.Stella Lycaoniam vergit proclinis ad ArctonMiluus. Haec illa nocte videnda venit.Quid dederit volucri, si vis cognoscere, coelum: 795Saturnus regnis ab Jove pulsus erat.Concitat iratus validos Titanas in arma,Quaeque fuit fatis debita, poscit opem.Matre satus Terra, monstrum mirabile, taurusParte sui serpens posteriore fuit. 800Hunc triplici muro lucis incluserat atrisParcarum monitu Styx violenta trium.Viscera qui tauri flammis adolenda dedisset,Sors erat, aeternos vincere posse deos.Immolat hunc Briareus facta ex adamante securi: 805Et jam jam flammis exta daturus erat.Jupiter alitibus rapere imperat. Attulit illiMiluus, et meritis venit in astra suis.
Una dies media est, et fiunt sacra Minervae,Nomina quae a junctis quinque diebus habent. 810Sanguine prima vacat, nec fas concurrene ferro.Causa, quod est illa nata Minerva die.Altera tresque super strata celebrantur arena.Ensibus exsertis bellica laeta dea est.Pallada nunc pueri teneraeque ornate puellae. 815Qui bene placarit Pallada, doctus erit.Pallade placata, lanam mollite, puellae:Discite jam plenas exonerare colos.Illa etiam stantes radio percurrere telasErudit, et rarum pectine denset opus. 820Hanc cole, qui maculas laesis de vestibus aufers:Hanc cole velleribus quisquis ahena paras.Nec quisquam invita faciet bene vincula plantaePallade, sit Tychio doctior ille licet;Et licet antiquo manibus collatus Epeo 825Sit prior, irata Pallade mancus erit.Vos quoque, Phoebea morbos qui pellitis arte,Munera de vestris pauca referte deae.Nec vos, turba fere censu fraudata, magistriSpernite; discipulos attrahet illa novos. 830Quique moves caelum, tabulamque coloribus uris,Quique facis docta mollia saxa manu.Mille dea est operum: certe dea carminis illa est.Si mereor, studiis adsit amica meis.Coelius ex alto qua mons descendit in aequum, 835Hic ubi non plana est, sed prope plana via est:Parva licet videas Captae delubra Minervae,Quae dea natali coepit habere suo.Nominis in dubio causa est.CapitalevocamusIngenium sollers: ingeniosa dea est. 840An, quia de capitis fertur sine matre paterniVertice cum clypeo prosiluisse suo?An, quia perdomitis ad nos captiva FaliscisVenit? et hoc ipsum littera prisca docet.An, quod habet legem, capitis quae pendere poenas 845Ex illo jubeat furta reperta loco?A quacumque trahis ratione vocabula, Pallas,Pro ducibus nostris aegida semper habe.Summa dies e quinque tubas lustrare canorasAdmonet, et forti sacrificare deae. 850Nunc potes ad solem sublato dicere vultu:Hic here Phrixeae vellera pressit ovis.Seminibus tostis sceleratae fraude novercaeSustulerat nullas, ut solet, herba comas.Mittitur ad tripodas, certa qui sorte reportet, 855Quam sterili terrae Delphicus edat opem.Hic quoque corruptus cum semine nuntiat HellesEt juvenis Phrixi funera sorte peti.Usque recusantem cives, et tempus, et InoCompulerant regem jussa nefanda pati; 860Et soror, et Phrixus velati tempora vittisStant simul ante aras junctaque fata gemunt.Adspicit hos, ut forte pependerat aethere mater,Et ferit attonita pectora nuda manu:Inque draconigenam nimbis comitantibus urbem 865Desilit, et natos eripit inde suos;Utque fugam capiant, aries nitidissimus auroTraditur. Ille vehit per freta longa duos.Dicitur infirma cornu tenuisse sinistraFemina, quum de se nomina fecit aquae. 870Paene simul periit, dum vult succurrere lapsae,Frater, et extentas porrigit usque manus.Flebat, ut amissa gemini consorte pericli,Caeruleo junctam nescius esse deo.Litoribus tactis aries fit sidus: at hujus 875Pervenit in Colchas aurea lana domos.
Tres ubi Luciferos veniens praemiserit Eos,Tempora nocturnis aequa diurna feres.
Inde quater pastor saturos ubi clauserit hoedos,Canuerint herbae rore recente quater; 880Janus adorandus, cumque hoc Concordia mitis,Et Romana Salus, araque Pacis erit.Luna regit menses. Hujus quoque tempora mensisFinit Aventino Luna colenda jugo.
1. As the first book began with the praises of Janus, so here the poet invokes Mars; in the next book we shall find him calling upon Venus.—Depositis, etc. as the poet's occupation is a peaceful one.
3, 4. A question and answer.
5-8. As Minerva, who, especially in the Roman theology, was a deity, who presided over the arts of peace, engaged also in those of war; so Mars might for a time lay aside his arms, and attend to the song of the poet. —Cuspidis. Several MSS. readcassidis. The general sense is the same.
9. He takes occasion here to sing the most celebrated adventure of the Roman god, Mars. It comes with peculiar propriety in this place, as the month had been named after the god by his son, whose birth it relates. For the difference between the Greek Ares and the Roman Mars, see Mythology, p. 79 and 459.—Romana sacerdos. The affair occurred at Alba, and Rome did not yet exist. Heinsius would readTrojana, another critic proposesregina, as in Virgil, aen. I. 227. There is no need of any change; poets did not always attend to accuracies of this kind.
11.Silvia. One MS. readsIlia, which reading has been adopted by Heinsius.—Moveriscil,carmen, like thecantuxque moveteof Virgil.
12. It was the office of the Vestals to draw water, for the purpose of washing and sprinkling the temple, and cleansing the sacred vessels. Servius on aen. vii. 150, says,Vestae libare non nisi de Numicio flumine licebat.
13.Molli, etc. beautifully expresses the gentle descent to the river.
14. Then, as now, women carried their earthen pitchers on their heads. Speaking of Amymone, our poet says, (Am. I. x. 6,)Cum premeret summi verticis urna comasand Propertius of Tarpeia (iv. 4, 16,)at illi Urguebat medium fictilis urna caput.
16.Restituit, settled. Two MSS. which are followed by Heinsius, readcomposuit; but as Burmann justly observes this supposes leisure, and the use of a mirror, whereasrestituitplaces before us a girl hastily settling up her hair, as we express it.
17, 18. Compare Virg. Ec. I. 55, and Hor. Epod. II. 26.
21. The descent of Mars, as Addison, I believe, first observed, is to be seen represented on ancient Roman coins.—Cupitam. This is the reading of two of the best MSS. and of Diomedes, the grammarian, who quotes this verse: all the other MSS. readcupita. Heinsius, in his note, shews thatpotiorgoverned the fourth ease, in the best authors, and Priscian (xviii. 23,) says,Omnes auctores, potior illius et illum et illo.
22.Fefellit, concealed.—Divina ope, i. e. by his own power.
26.Sonos, words. Two MSS. read _preces.
27.Utile, etc. The well-known Romanformula, Quod bonum, felix faustumque sit,—Imagine somni, in a dream.
28.An somno, etc. Was it more than a dream, than a mere [Greek: enupnion]?
29.Ig. II. The perpetual fire of Vesta brought from Troy by aeneas. Virg. aen. II. 296.
30. This circumstance was ominous, as the sacred fillet was taken by the Pontifex off the head of a Vestal condemned for breach of vow. Dionysius, when describing the fate of the Vestal, Oppia, or Opimia, says, [Greek: autaen men taes koryphaes aphelomenoi ta stemmata, kai pompeuontes di' agoras, entos teichous zosan katoruxan].
31. Compare the dream of Astyages, portending the birth of Cyrus. Just. I. 4.—Palmae, emblems of victory. It is probably the meaning of the poet that they sprang from the ground, thoughindewould appear to refer rather to the fillet.
35.Molitur, i.e.vibrat. Virg. G. iv. 331.
36.Admonitu, scil.deorum, the vision.
37. The woodpecker, as well as the wolf, was sacred to Mars. In the old legend, (see v. 54,) the woodpecker also contributed to nourish the exposed babes.
43, 44. A periphrasis for ten months.—Emeritis. Qui merere desiit, having completed his task or service, was calledEmeritus.
45. The poet himself informs us, (VI. 295,) that there was no statue in the temple of Vesta. Gierig supposes that he did not know this at the time he wrote this part of the poem. But it is well known that he kept it a long time by him, altering and revising it. I again repeat, that we are not to look for extreme accuracy in the ancient poets. There were statues of Vesta outside of the temple.
46. See below, VI. 614.
48. The sacred flame drew back as it were, and became nearly extinct. Nothing more terrified the Romans than the extinction of the Vestal flame; it was to them a sign, as Dionysius says, [Greek: tou aphanismou taes poleos].
50.Opes, the kingdom. He here gives the reason why Amulius interfered, not that of his calling himcontemptor aequi.
51, 52. He had already related this at length, II. 385,et seq.
53, 54. It was the common tradition, it was in the poem of Ennius, which every one knew, and was probably the subject of some of those old ballads about Romulus, which Dionysius says still existed in his time.
55.Larentia, the wife of the shepherd, Faustulus, and nurse of Romulus and Remus. All the MSS. but two readLaurentia.
56.Vestras, scil.tui et Larentiae,—Opes, house, mode of living, etc.; see II. 413, on the aid rendered to the founders of Rome.
57. 58. The Larentalia were in December. The poet did not live to perform his promise; he probably could not write the Fasti away from Rome.—Acceptus geniis. On account of the Saturnalia, whenindulgebant genio. See Virg. G. I. 300.
61, 62. This reminds one of the early proofs of his being born to rule, exhibited by Cyrus. It is by no means improbable, that his legend was transferred to Romulus and Remus. That of Paris (Mythology, p. 438,) is somewhat similar, as also that of Habis. See Justin, xliv. 4.
64.Actos, i. e.abactos, by the robbers.
65.Editus, told. Five MSS. readagnitus.
66.Nomen habere, scil. to have their fame confined to a few cottages. —Paucis, most MSS. readpurvis.
70. A euphemism, sparing the fame of Romulus.
71.Pecorum. Three MSS. readpecudum, twonemorum, which Burmann prefers.
72.aeternae urbis. So the Romans loved to call their city.
75. He thus returns to the subject in hand.
78. As he shewed by removing Romulus to heaven, and by giving victory and fame in arms to the Romans.
79. The poet now becomes a grammarian, and argues learnedly.—Priores, the Latins.
80.Hocscil. the worship of Mars. Several MSS. readhaec.
81.Minoia, etc. The Cretans worshiped a goddess named Dictynna, who was regarded as being the same as the Artemis of the other Greeks, and the Diana of the Latins. See Mythology, p. 100.
82.Tellus Hyps. Lemnos. The slaughter of the men of Lemnos by their wives, and the saving of Thoas, by his daughter Hypsipyle, is a well known event. When Valean was flung from Olympus, by Jupiter, he fell in Lemnos. Hom. Il. I. 93.
83. See VI. 47. Hom. Il. iv. 51.
84.Maenalis ora, likeAusonis ora, II. 94.
86.Remque decusque, wealth and fame.
87.Peregrinos, i. e. of other Italian peoples, and you will find that they also had a month called after Mars.
91, 92. The people of Aricia and of Tusculum follow the same rule as the Albans, making March the third month. According to Krebs, the construction is,Inter Ar. et Alb. et Teleg. manu facta moenia celsa constant tempora. It is harsh taken any way.
94. First after three months, that is, the fourth.
95, 96. March was the fourth month also to the Pelignians, and their Sabine ancestors. For the best account of all these peoples of ancient Italy, see Niebuhr's Roman History.
97, 98. In reality he only followed the Alban, or rather general Latin calendar, in which March was the third month.
101, 102. Compare Hor. Epist. II. 1, 156. Virg. aen. vi. 850.—Male forte, same asnon forte,imbelle.
103, 104. War was the science of the Romans.—Pugnabat. Three MSS. readpugnarat.
105. The Hyades and Pleiades are always spoken of together by the poets, as being near each other in position.—Pliadas Atlanteas. See IV. 169, [Greek: Plaeiadon Atlageneon epitellomenaon]. Hesiod. See Mythology, p. 52 and 418.
106. The Arctic and Antarctic poles.
107, 108. Cynosure ([Greek: kynos oura]) was a name of the Lesser Bear: Helice ([Greek: helikae]) from its revolving round the pole, a name of the Greater Bear.Omnes qui Peloponnesum incolunt priore utuntur Arcto; Phoenices autem, quam a suo inventore(Thalete)acceperunt, observant Cynosuram; et hanc studiosius perspiciendo diligentius navigare existimantur. Hygin. Poët. Astron. II. 2.
111.Libera, as being unobserved, left to themselves, as it were; subjected to no laws.
112.Constabat, &c. Burmann and Gierig take the meaning to be: they believed the stars to be divinities. May it not be: nevertheless, though ignorant of astronomy, they believed in the gods? A stroke at the learned infidelity of the poet's own days, like Gray's, "No very great wit, he believed in a god."
113, 114. A play on words as usual.Movere signa coelestiaseems rather harsh, but it is not without example.Numeri movent astra, Lucan, I. 640.Carmina quîs ignes movimus aërios, Cinna in Anthol. Lat. T. I. p. 441.Movebantis the reading of seven MSS. six readnotabant; all the resttenebant.—Quae magnum, etc. See Livy, II. 59. One of the best MSS. readsprodere, which Heinsius and Bentley (on Hor. Ep. I. 67,) prefer.
115, 116. A bundle of hay tied on a pole, is said to have been the standard used by the Romans in their early days.—Tuas, of Germanicus.
118.Maniplaris. The soldiers belonging to one company, that is onemanipulus, or standard, were calledmanipulares.
119-122. See Introduction, § 2.
119.Indociles, untaught. This passive sense is not unusual.—Ratione, science scil. astronomy.
120. The Lustres or periods of five years, were smaller by ten months, two for each year, at that time when there were but ten months in the year. Gierig's note is"Lustra quinquennalia tum nondum condebantur a Romanis."This looks as if he did not understand the passage, though Neapolis had briefly, but clearly explained it.